Possible trade war alters Fiddle Park work’s timeline

February 13, 2025 · 0 Comments

Written By JAMES MATTHEWS

Ripples from the possibility of a trade war between Canada and the United States have reached Shelburne.

Many construction materials used locally originate in the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump levied tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other commodities from Canada. With retaliatory tariffs by Ottawa on American goods, there’s a possibility for a drawn-out trade war that will hoist steep prices for goods onto consumers.

And that is concerning for municipalities about to get face-and-eyes into various capital infrastructure projects.

Shelburne has plans to change Fiddle Park drastically. Components of the draft plan presented to council in June 2023 included a multi-functional trail for walking, biking, and skating. It also included a 600-seat amphitheatre, pavilion, playground, multi-use court, community plaza, memorial forest, and an enhanced parking lot.

The $9.4 million project was slated to take five to 20 years to complete.

Denyse Morrissey, Shelburne’s CAO, said significant components for the Fiddle Park project and other recreational facilities are among the materials that come from south of the border. Though some materials may be bought from local or Canadian suppliers, they initially come from the United States.

“At the same time, we’re following fairly closely the value of our Canadian dollar and its purchasing impacts during this process,” Morrissey told council during its Feb. 10 meeting. “For that reason, the project team for Fiddle Park has been meeting frequently.”

Particular attention has been placed on the estimated costs for certain aspects of the park improvements. An American company quoted prices for the purchase and the installation of the park’s mini putt. Those two prices were converted to Canadian dollars, she said.

“We feel that, with the situation we’re in right now and how uncertain we are, it would be strategic and financially responsible to remove that component of the project at this time and defer it until a future review can be completed,” Morrissey said.

The $250,000 that was earmarked for the mini putt will be used for something else, she said.

“To ensure that the playground is not jeopardized,” she said.

Some of the money will be set aside to be used as a contingency fund for other costs that may increase.

“If they don’t (increase), fantastic,” Morrissey said.

She said nothing is in stone at this point, but she wouldn’t want the municipality to proceed with a request for proposals knowing that the estimated costs are uncontrollable.

“We’ll protect the space, obviously,” she said. “It will remain green space and then reconsider what would be potentially funded in Phase 2.”

Much of the second phase is unfunded right now and will require a very strong business case showing it would be sensible for it to be a standalone operation, she said.